National 4 Chemistry
Resource Guide
September 2015
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
National 4 Chemistry Resources Guide
This resource guide has been produced in response to requests from staff who attended the NQ Sciences events at Hampden Stadi um in
December 2013. Those attending felt it would be useful to have a document which helped them navigate to the most relevant resources
quickly.
The following pages show the mandatory course key areas table from the SQA National 4 Chemistry Course and Unit Support Notes. An
additional fourth column has been included which contains hyperlinks to useful resources. Please note: Staff are not required to use the
resources listed – they are only included as helpful suggestions. Staff should also refer to the SQA website for the most up-to-date
course and unit support notes.
To further assist staff content links to useful SQA documentation have been included at the beginning of each unit along with resources for the
Researching Chemistry Unit.
SQA documents
Web link
Course specification
http://bit.ly/1KsTslf
Course and unit support notes
http://bit.ly/1JHRrmd
Education Scotland learning materials
Glow sciences
http://bit.ly/GLOWCHEM
National Qualifications Glow portal
http://bit.ly/1KZl7bw
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Chemical Changes and Structure
Mandatory
course key
areas
Rates of
reaction
Factors affecting
rate of reaction
Monitoring
reactions in terms
of rate of reaction
Interpreting rate
of reaction
graphs
Unit specification http://bit.ly/1TdHPlZ
Suggested learning activities
Exemplification of key areas
Useful resources
Learners will carry out a series of
experiments that involve
production of a gas, for example
acid with metal carbonate or
metal. Alternatively, an
effervescent tablet can be added
to water.
A working knowledge of the factors affecting
rates of reaction including temperature,
concentration, surface area/particle size and
the presence of a catalyst
NQ Course Materials Glow portal resources – Rates
of reaction
To compare rates of chemical reactions,
changes in mass, volume and other
quantities can be measured. Graphs can
then be drawn to help this comparison.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Factors
affecting rates of reactions
Learners can collect data
manually or by using data-logging
technology.
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner resource –
Rates of reaction
SSERC experiment – Rate of oxalic acid reaction in
Rhubarb
PhET simulation – Reactions and rates
Learners can be given a predrawn graph and asked to add
lines to it to show differences in
the rate and the end-point of a
reaction when conditions have
been changed.
Change in mass, volume etc vs time graphs
can be interpreted in terms of:
 rate (qualitative only)
 end-point of a reaction
 quantity of product
 quantity of reactant used
 effect of changing conditions (qualitative
only)
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Atomic
structure and
bonding related
to properties of
materials
Elements
Structure of the
atom
Atomic number
Mass Number
Why atoms are
neutral
Learners can be introduced to the
three subatomic particles in a
variety of ways.
Learners can take part in an
activity to ‘build an atom’. Using
small beads/sweets or even their
classmates, they can build a
model of the positions of the
particles in an atom. It may be
useful to show the electrons in
shells as a simple target diagram.
Simple card sorts can be used for
the sub-atomic particles and the
elements, allowing the learners to
generate their own general rules
from the patterns that they
observe. The
learners can produce lists of
similarities and differences in the
cards.
Interactive alternatives are
available online from the
University of Colorado, Education
— the build-an-atom simulation
and K Science — atom animation.
The idea of mass and charge can
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Learners should have a working knowledge
of the structure of the periodic table in terms
of groups and periods.
All matter is made of atoms. When a
substance contains only one kind of atom it is
known as an element.
Atoms contain protons, neutrons and
electrons each with a specific charge, mass
and position within the atom. The mass of an
electron is negligible.
The number of protons defines an element
and is known as the atomic number.
Noble prize videos – Noble laureates discussing
chemistry
NQ Course materials Glow portal resources –
Atomic structure and bonding related to properties
of materials
NQ Course materials Glow portal learner activity –
Periodic Table Top Trumps
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner resource –
Atomic structure and properties related to bonding
PhET simulation – Build an atom
The mass number of an atom is the number
of protons plus neutrons.
Atoms do not have an electric charge and are
said to be neutral.
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
be discussed allowing learners to
link the properties of the three
particles to the mass number and
charge.
Structure of the
periodic table
Elements are arranged in the periodic table in
order of increasing atomic number. Elements
in the group have similar chemical properties.
Royal Society of Chemistry learner resource –
Interactive periodic table
Web elements learner resource – Interactive
periodic table
Classifying
elements as
metals and nonmetals
Compounds and
how they are
named
The position of metals and non-metals in the
periodic table.
Learners can carry out simple
chemical reactions that form twoelement compounds (eg
magnesium + oxygen, hydrogen
and oxygen, and burning iron
filings). They could be shown
some reactions more suited to
teacher demonstration (aluminium
+ iodine and the combustion of
iron wool — details available at
the Royal Society of Chemistry’s
Practical Chemistry website).
Compounds are substances formed when
atoms of two or more elements join together.
The name of a compound is derived from the
names of the elements from which it is
formed with a suffix of -ide, -ite, or -ate.
HWB learner activities – The Periodic Table,
structure and bonding
Times Educational Supplement teacher resource –
Structure and Bonding PowerPoint
(Free registration with TES connect required)
Royal Society of Chemistry learner resource –
Practical chemistry website
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Chemical
formulae
Learners learn to write formulae
from named compounds and
chemical equations from word
equations. Learners can then
practise this through card sorts
and games.
The ratio in which elements combine to form
two element compounds can be determined
using valency rules and hence a formula can
be written. The chemical formula can also be
determined from names with prefixes, models
or structures.
NQ Course materials Glow portal resources –
Chemical formulae and reaction quantities
Calculation of
formula mass
Word equations
and chemical
equations
including state
symbols
Learners will explore the link
between the formula mass and
the mass of the individual atoms
within it.
Small beads, sweets or learners
themselves can be used to
demonstrate this principle as can
the animation available from
Sunflower Learning.
From the formula of a substance, its formula
mass can be calculated using the Relative
Formula Mass of the elements.
Sunflower Learning learner resource - Sunflower for
science
A chemical reaction which can be described
using word equations can also be described
using chemical symbol equations.
Jefferson Lab learner resource – Balancing
equations
Use of state symbols in equations.
PhET simulation – Balancing chemical equations
Times Educational Supplement teacher resource –
Structure and bonding PowerPoint
(Free registration with TES connect required)
The two types of
compound,
covalent and
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There are two types of compound. Covalent
compounds form when non-metal atoms form
covalent bonds by sharing their outer
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
ionic, in terms of
their elements,
sharing/transfer
of electrons and
their structure
electrons. Covalent compounds exist as
molecules.
Properties of
covalent and
ionic compounds
including, melting
point, boiling
point, state at
room temperature
and conductivity.
Covalent compounds, made of molecules,
have low melting and boiling points. As a
result, they can be found in any state at room
temperature. Ionic compounds have high
melting and boiling points. As a result, they
are found in the solid state at room
temperature. Only ionic compounds can
conduct electricity, they can only do this
when molten or in solution.
Determining the
type of bonding
present in a
compound.
Energy changes
of chemical
reactions
Ionic compounds form when metal atoms join
to non-metal atoms by transferring
electron(s) from the metal to the non-metal.
The resulting charged particles are called
ions and an ionic bond is the attraction of the
oppositely charged ions.
Learners will test the electrical
conductivity of various
compounds as solids, liquids,
gases and solutions.
Teachers can demonstrate the
electrical conductivity of molten
and solid wax and lead bromide.
To be sure of the bonding present in a
substance the conductivity must be tested.
Royal Society of Chemistry experiment –
Conductivity of wax
Royal Society of Chemistry experiment –
Conductivity of lead bromide
SSERC experiment – Whoosh bottle
SSERC experiment – Dynamite soap
Twig video – Vegetable oils as fuel
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Exothermic and
endothermic
reactions
Explore examples of exothermic
reaction which could include
combustion and neutralisation.
Reactions of metals in water or
acid. Adding water to anhydrous
copper sulphate.
Explore examples of endothermic
reactions which could include
solubility of ammonium nitrate and
reaction of barium hydroxide with
ammonium nitrate.
RSC has resources available to
investigate handwarmers and the
exothermic/endothermic changes
involved.
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Reactions can be defined as exothermic or
endothermic depending on the overall energy
change that takes place. Reactions that give
out heat/energy are exothermic and those
that take in heat/energy are endothermic
BBC Learning Zone video – Metals & water
BBC Learning Zone video – Endo/exothermic
reactions
Royal Society of Chemistry experiment – Heating
power of a candle
Nuffield Foundation experiments – Endothermic or
exothermic reactions
Royal Society of Chemistry learner resource – Hand
warmers
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Acids and bases
pH of oxides
Learners could investigate the
effect on pH of various oxides to
establish a pattern. A description
of one such investigation is given
at the Royal Society of
Chemistry’s Practical Chemistry
website.
Learners should be familiar with:
 pH
 acids and bases in
 neutralisation reactions
 salt formation
NQ Course materials Glow portal resources – acids
and bases
The pH of water can only be affected by the
addition of soluble substances:
 Soluble metal oxides produce alkaline
solutions
 Soluble non-metal oxides produce acidic
solutions
 Insoluble oxides will not affect the pH of
water
SSERC teacher resource – Rainbow colour
demonstration
SSERC teacher resource – Colourful flowers
demonstration
Royal Society of Chemistry experiment – pH of
oxides
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner resource –
acids and bases revision guide
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Acid, alkaline
or neutral
Twig video – Acids and alkalis Part 2, including quiz
PhET simulation – pH scale basics
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Sources of
carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere
Learners will investigate sources
of CO2 in the atmosphere
including the burning of fossil
fuels and cement manufacture.
Candidates may have an appreciation that
CO2 is a by-product of burning fossil fuels but
another large contribution is made by cement
manufacturing for use in new buildings.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Acid & alkalis
Carbon/global footprints may be
discussed at this point. A good
resource for this is Education
Scotland’s ‘Schools Global
Footprint’.
Online resources are available on
LTS schools global footprint
index.
Sources of nonmetal oxides,
particularly
carbon dioxide,
sulphur dioxide
and oxides of
nitrogen, and
their effects on
the environment
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Learners can study the effect of
CO2 on global warming by
charting the temperature of plastic
bottles filled with air, water
vapour, CO2 (and possibly
methane) exposed to a heat
source over time.
The effect of increased
temperature on the ability of the
oceans to absorb extra CO2 as
well as the effect of reduced pH
on shells could also be
investigated. A suitable resource
can be found at the Royal Society
of Chemistry website called ‘Sea
Change’.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Acid rain and
its effects on the environment
Education Scotland teaching resource – Schools
Global Footprint
Learn Chemistry teacher resource – Climate change
Non-metal oxides play a large role in the
environment.
Learn Chemistry learner resource – Future climates
Learn Chemistry learner activity – The greenhouse
effect
Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and oxides of
nitrogen are produced as a result of our
continued use of fossil fuels.
Although these oxides are produced in
nature the increased production of these
oxides is linked to environmental problems
including acid rain, global warming and
ocean acidification.
Royal Society of Chemistry teacher resource – The
Chemistry of climate change
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Learners can be introduced to
other non-metal oxide pollutants
and can investigate the effects of
lower pH on cress seed growth,
limestone or marble. These
investigations can be accessed
on the Education Scotland
website.
Acids in food and
drink and the
effect these have
on human health
Learners could investigate the
effect of low pH drinks on teeth
(using pieces of bone) as
described in the Sip Smart BC
Tooth Experiment website.
Learners should also investigate
the positive uses of acids, eg
acidity regulators in foodstuffs
such as ethanoic acid (E260) and
citric acid (E330). Benzoic acid
(E210) is a preservative. HCl is
used by the body for digestion.
Acids play an important role in the food and
drink industry eg as preservatives.
These acids have an impact on human health
eg tooth erosion, indigestion, etc.
BCPS British Columbia Pediatric Society
learner resources – Sip Smart lessons
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – pH and
bacterial growth
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Nitrates from
lightning
About.com experiment – Apple browning
Lightning storms supply much
needed nitrates to the soil of rain
forests. Another positive use can
be found at the apple-browning
demonstrations, experiments at
‘about.com’.
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Neutralisation
reactions and salt
formation.
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The role of neutralisation can be
investigated in the prevention of
acid damage. Various practical
experiments could be carried out
here such as the investigation into
changing the pH of soil in
agriculture. A suitable resource
can be found at the Royal Society
of Chemistry’s Practical
Chemistry website: ‘Curing
Acidity’.
A neutralisation reaction is one in which an
acid reacts with a base to form water. A salt
is also formed in this reaction.
BBC Knowledge and Learning revision guide – pH
and neutralisation
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Neutralising
acids and alkalis
Learn Chemistry experiment – Neutralisation curing
acidity
YouTube video – Copper carbonate and sulfuric
acid demo
Copper carbonate and sulfuric
acid could be used to investigate
a neutralisation reaction that does
not need an indicator.
YouTube video – Copper carbonate and
hydrochloric acid demo
Learners could also make
indicators from natural resources
to follow the course of a
neutralisation reaction. Suitable
resources can be found out at the
Planet Science: Cabbagechemistry website or the
Woodrow Wilson Foundation’s
website: Say pH with Flowers.
Website available at
woodrow.org/teachers/1986/exp2
3
Planet Science experiment – Cabbage indicator
Woodrow Foundation teachers resource – cabbage
indicator
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Bases
Bases are metal oxides, metal carbonates
and metal hydroxides.
Following the
course of a
neutralisation
reaction
The course of a neutralisation reaction can
be followed using a pH indicator; if the base
is insoluble an indicator is not required.
Word equations
for neutralisation
reactions and
naming the salt
produced.
Neutralisation reactions can be described
through the use of word equations and
should include the correct name for the salt.
YouTube video – All about the Base song!
Learn Chemistry experiment – Neutralisation circles
Learn Chemistry learner resources – Word
equations
Learn Chemistry learner resource – AfL word
equations
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Nature’s Chemistry
Mandatory course key areas
Fuels
Fuels store energy in chemical
bonds.
Unit specification: http://bit.ly/1TdHPlZ
Suggested learning activities
More information on which wood
burns best and which wood contains
the most energy can be found at the
website juliantrubin.com.
Information on how charcoal can be
made can be found on the MIT Open
Courseware site: http://ocw.mit.edu.
Exemplification of key areas
Useful resources
A fuel is any compound that has
stored energy.
NQ Course Materials Glow portal resources
– Fuels
Energy is captured in chemical
bonds through processes such as
photosynthesis. Wood, petrol, coal,
peat and a number of other fuels
have energy-rich chemical bonds
created using the energy from the
Sun
SSERC resources – fuels
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner
resource – Fuels revision guide
Information on how to make charcoal
in the classroom can be found on
http://chemistry.about.com/ under
‘blacksnakes’.
Julianrubin.com learner resource – Burning
wood and energy
Further information and activities on
fuels can be found through the Royal
Society of Chemistry website and on
the European Union’s Popularity and
Relevance of Science Education for
Scientific Literacy (Parsel) site.
Learn Chemistry learner resources – Fuels
About .com experiment – Making charcoal
Video clips on the formation of fossil
fuels and fractional distillation can be
found on the website.
A methane explosion can be
demonstrated using the ratio of 1
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Learn Chemistry teacher activity –
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Fossil fuels
part methane to 2 parts oxygen. This
can also be shown by an ‘exploding
can’ demonstration as detailed in the
book 101 Classic Chemistry
Demonstrations published by the
RSC.
Demonstration of fractional
distillation using synthetic crude oil.
Further details on this can be found
through the SSERC website.
Fossil fuels are a useful reserve of
fuels and are therefore used
extensively to satisfy the demands
of an energy-dependent world.
Fossil fuels are principally
hydrocarbons with minor impurities.
They are so named because they
originate from the decayed and
fossilised remains of plants and
animals that lived millions of years
ago. They are a finite resource.
Controlled explosion of a methane-air
mixture
Crude oil is a mixture of
hydrocarbons.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Experiments to discover the properties of
fire
Some reactions release
energy from fuels
Energy is released during
burning/oxidation and respiration.
The most common form of oxidation
is the direct reaction of a fuel with
oxygen through combustion.
Combustion is the reaction of
burning a fuel in oxygen.
Fire triangle
Controlling fires can be explained
through the fire triangle.
SSERC learner resource – Burning a fossil
fuel demonstration
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Complete and incomplete
combustion
The products of combustion can be
shown through a demonstration of
burning a hydrocarbon and drawing
the products of combustion through a
test tube with cobalt chloride paper
surrounded by an ice bath and
through another test tube with lime
water.
Hydrocarbons burn in a plentiful
supply of oxygen to produce carbon
dioxide and water.
Carbon monoxide, a poisonous
gas, and carbon are produced
when hydrocarbons burn in a
limited supply of oxygen.
Learn Chemistry learner resource – Carbon
monoxide
YouTube video – Catalytic convertors
The products of incomplete
combustion can be shown by heating
a beaker of water using the safety
flame of a Bunsen burner.
Use of catalytic converters to
reduce carbon monoxide
emissions
In engines, catalytic converters can
be used to minimise the output of
carbon monoxide
Reducing carbon emissions
Ways to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions are explored (including
methods of carbon capture).
Conservation of mass during
chemical reactions
16
The concept of conservation of
mass will be introduced through
equations relating to combustion of
hydrocarbons.
Learn Chemistry learner resource –
Spontaneous exothermic reaction
Learn Chemistry teacher resource –
Whoosh bottle demonstration
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Impact on the environment of
burning fossil fuels including
the effect on the carbon cycle
Combustion of fossil fuels impacts
on the environment and contributes
to the carbon cycle.
SSERC teacher resource – Whoosh bottle
Learn Chemistry experiment – Alcohol gun
Exothermic and endothermic
reactions
Reacting solid potassium
permanganate and adding a few
drops of glycerol can show an
exothermic chemical reaction.
Exothermic chemical reactions give
out energy and endothermic
chemical reactions take in energy.
Combustion is an example of an
exothermic reaction.
Learn Chemistry video – Ethanol rocket
YouTube video – Methane rocket
A demonstration of the flammability
of alcohols is provided by the
‘whoosh bottle’ demonstration. A
mixture of alcohol and air in a large
polycarbonate bottle is ignited. The
resulting rapid combustion reaction,
often accompanied by a dramatic
‘whoosh‘ sound and flames,
demonstrates the large amount of
chemical energy released in the
combustion of alcohols.
Equally dramatic are the ‘alcohol
gun’ experiment, or the ‘flaming
pumpkin‘. Centres should carry out
risk assessments before carrying out
these experiments.
A more mysterious element can be
introduced with the ‘non-burning £5
note’ experiment.
Learn Chemistry teacher resource –
Money to burn
Learn Chemistry video – Money to burn
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Finite energy sources and
biofuels.
Benefit and risks of different
energy sources
Practical experiments on making
biofuels can be found on the parsel
and science buddies’ websites.
Learners can also take part in a
debate about the pros and cons of
using biofuels and whether or not
they should be used to replace fossil
fuels.
Further examples on topical science
debates can be obtained from
Dundee Science Centre. Education
Scotland has a website called STEM
central through which additional
information can be accessed.
Biomass
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Finite energy sources will be
investigated in conjunction with the
development of biofuels as
alternative sources of energy to
support society’s energy needs.
Learn Chemistry video – Stories from the
bio-based industries
The benefits and risks of different
energy sources and their impact on
the carbon cycle can be
researched.
Energy sources could include:
 wind power
 wave and tidal power
 geothermal
 biomass and biofuels
 solar power
 nuclear
NQ course materials Glow portal activity –
Unit 2 Exemplar learning activity:
Developing informed opinions climate
change
Biomass, a source of biofuels, is
plant-based material which can be
burned to release energy. Biomass
can also be converted to other
usable forms of fuel. These include
methane gas or fuels used for
transportation such as ethanol and
biodiesel.
Learn Chemistry learner resources – The
solar spark renewable energy
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner
resource – Biofuels
SSERC learner resources – Biodiesel
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Hydrocarbons
.
Fractional distillation
Hydrocarbon molecules contain
carbon and hydrogen only.
NQ Course materials Glow portal resources
– Hydrocarbons
Fractional distillation is the process
used for separating crude oil into
fractions.
Learn Chemistry learner resource – Oil
refining
The properties, including melting
point, boiling point, flammability and
viscosity, and the use of the
fractions can be compared.
A fraction is a group of
hydrocarbons with boiling points
within a given range.
There are many different
hydrocarbon molecules as carbon
and hydrogen can form chain
molecules of different lengths.
Hydrocarbon chains
Alkanes
Animations on the naming of
alkanes, alkenes and fractional
distillation can be found through the
Scholar website (in the higher world
of carbon unit) and the e-chalk
website.
Chemsketch can be used to draw
The alkanes are a subset of
hydrocarbons and are identified
from the ‘-ane’ ending. Straightchain alkanes can be named and
identified from full structural
formulae and molecular formulae
up to C8.
BBC Knowledge and Learning revision
guide – Hydrocarbons
Scholar http://scholar.hw.ac.uk/
(Scholar login required)
ChemSketch activity – Drawing
hydrocarbons
(Free registration with ChemSketch
required)
Learn Chemistry experiment – Testing for
unsaturation using bromine
BBC Knowledge and Learning revision
guide – Alkanes & alkenes
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
and show the geometry of alkanes
and alkenes. Chemsketch is
available free of charge for schools.
Alkenes
20
A demonstration can be used to
show learners how to distinguish
between an alkane and an alkene.
During the demonstration bromine
water is added to an alkene and an
alkane. The bromine water will
decolourise immediately in the
alkene and stay yellow in the alkane.
The alkenes are also a subset of
hydrocarbons. An alkene can be
identified from the carbon-to-carbon
double bond and ‘-ene’ ending.
Straight-chain alkenes can be
named and identified from full
structural formulae and molecular
formulae up to C8.
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Cracking
Everyday consumer
products
Use of carbohydrates and oils
from plants
Cracking can be carried out in the
classroom using an aluminium oxide
catalyst. To do this, soak some
ceramic wool in paraffin and place in
a boiling tube. Place some
aluminium oxide powder in a beaker
and add some ceramic wool and
cover it in aluminium oxide. Place the
ceramic wool containing aluminium
oxide in the boiling tube about 3 cm
away from the paraffin ceramic wool.
Attach a delivery tube to the boiling
tube and place into a tub of water.
Heat the boiling tube at the ceramic
wool covered in aluminium oxide.
Collect the gas given off over water.
Remove the delivery tube from the
water before stopping heating to
prevent ‘suck back’. To prove the
gas is an alkene, bromine water can
be added and will decolourise in the
test tube with the gas.
Cracking is a process used to meet
the demand for shorter chain
alkanes and alkenes.
Learn Chemistry learner resource –
Cracking hydrocarbons
The ‘Screaming Jelly babies’
demonstration can be used to show
the energy content of carbohydrates.
This involves warming potassium
chlorate until it melts and adding the
jelly baby. This will combust and
release the stored energy. Centres
should carry out their own risk
Plants are a source of
carbohydrates and oils which can
be used for food or fuel.
NQ Course materials Glow portal resources
– Everyday consumer products
BBC Knowledge and Learning experiment
– Food as fuel, jelly baby
Learn Chemistry teacher resource – The
screaming jelly baby
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
assessment before undertaking this
experiment.
Carbohydrates including
glucose and starch
To show the elements present in a
carbohydrate, learners can watch a
demonstration of a few drops of
concentrated sulfuric acid being
added to a few grams of solid
sucrose. This will remove the
hydrogen and oxygen from the
carbohydrate through steam. Solid
carbon is left behind.
Carbohydrates are compounds
which contain carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen with the hydrogen and
oxygen in the ratio of two to one.
Learn Chemistry experiment – Detecting
starch in food
Glucose is a simple carbohydrate
with the formula C6H12O6. Starch
is a complex carbohydrate formed
by joining many glucose molecules.
Plants store energy by converting
glucose into starch..
Testing for starch and glucose
Digestion of starch and
respiration
22
Practical tasks should be carried out
to demonstrate the differences
between glucose and starch and how
starch can be hydrolysed into
glucose. This can be confirmed
through chemical tests.
Learn Chemistry experiment – Sulphuric
acid as a dehydrating agent
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner
resource – Everyday consumer products
revision guide
Chemical tests can carried out to
distinguish between glucose and
starch using Benedict’s solution and
iodine respectively.
Starch is broken down into glucose
in the body, during digestion.
Glucose, due to its small molecular
size, can pass through the gut wall
into the bloodstream to be used in
cells, throughout the body, during
respiration.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Digestive enzymes in N4 Biology
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Fermentation
To form ethanol, learners can add
yeast to fruit juice in a conical flask.
A balloon can be placed over the
neck of the conical flask to collect the
gas given off. The resulting
ethanol/fruit juice mixture can then
be distilled to produce a higher
concentration of ethanol.
Enzymes present in yeast can
convert glucose into ethanol. This
process is called fermentation.
Different plants are used to produce
different alcoholic beverages. As
the fermentation process continues
the concentration of ethanol causes
the enzyme to stop working. This
limits the ethanol concentration
achievable by fermentation.
Enzymes operate under optimal
conditions of temperature and pH.
To achieve higher concentrations of
ethanol for production of spirits,
distillation must be carried out.
Distillation
Learn Chemistry experiment –
Fermentation of glucose using yeast
Learn Chemistry experiment – Microbes
and bread making using yeast
Learn Chemistry experiment – Testing for
enzymes
Learn Chemistry resources – Enzymes and
jelly
Learn Chemistry experiment – Microbes,
milk and enzymes souring process
Change for Life activity – Alcohol units and
guidelines
Glow resource learner resource – Learning
journey 1: Scotch whisky
Units of alcohol
Plants to products
Plants are used to make a
wide variety of products.
How products are made from
To achieve an understanding of units
of alcohol, learners can look at
different alcoholic beverage labels
that show the number of units in the
drink.
Approximately 30% of medicines
used today are derived from plants.
The label on a medicine or
pharmaceutical product describes
the contents of the product and what
is can be used for.
There are a variety of medicines
The alcohol content of drinks is
measured in units.
Many plants are used by chemists
in the design and manufacture of
many everyday products such as
pharmaceuticals soaps, cosmetics,
dyes, medicines, foods or food
colourings.
Learners will research and
SSERC experiments – Plants to products
Learn Chemistry experiment – Extracting
limonene from oranges
Learn Chemistry learner resource –
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NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
plants.
which are legal. While alcohol is also
a legal drug there are other drugs
which are illegal and may be harmful.
Plants such as foxglove, willow,
meadowsweet, poppies and
chinchona were commonly used in
earlier times for the treatment of
diseases such as heart disease,
inflammatory diseases and malaria.
Scottish scientists were instrumental
in the development of willow,
poppies and chinchona in the
treatment of disease. Aspirin is a
medicine that is derived from
meadowsweet and willow. Morphine,
used to treat pain, is derived from
poppies.
24
investigate how plants are used to
make products. For each plant they
should cover:
 where they are found and grown
 the identification of the active
ingredient
the role of the chemists in
extracting the useful chemicals
 the variety of uses and
applications of plant-based
products
 how the plant-based products
have enhanced everyday life
Challenging plants
Learn Chemistry experiment – Cross linking
polymers alginate worms
Nuffield foundation experiment – Cooking
potatoes
Learn Chemistry learner resource – Making
medicines
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Chemistry in Society
Mandatory course key areas
Metals and alloys
The chemical and physical
properties of materials are
linked to their use.
Unit specification: http://bit.ly/1e5YdVH
Suggested learning activities
Exemplification of key areas
The practical chemistry branch of
the RSC website has examples of
practical activities related to metals,
polymers, and analysis.
Materials are all substances and
include metals, ceramics and
plastics as well as natural and
novel substances. Chemical and
physical properties of materials are
linked to their uses.
Useful resources
Education Scotland resources – Chemistry
in Society
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner
resource – Properties of metals revision
guide
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – Uses
of metal in surgery
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Reactivity of metals and their uses
Learn Chemistry experiment – Reacting
elements with oxygen
Reactions of metals with
oxygen, water and dilute acid.
Reactivity series
Reactions of metals (Cu, Zn, Mg)
with air, water and dilute acid.
Testing hydrogen.
Suggested demo using Arculus
method.
TES website now contains the
Teachers’ TV videos.
The Periodic Table — Ferocious
Elements could be used.
BBC Learning Zone has a video
clip on alkali metals.
The Open University has a clip on
the reaction of rubidium and
caesium with water.
Observation of the reaction of
metals with: oxygen, water and
dilute acid.
Learners should be able to use the
reactions of metals with oxygen,
water and dilute acid to deduce a
reactivity series.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Reacting sodium metal with water
Learn Chemistry experiment – Metals and
acids experiment
BBC knowledge and Learning video –
Reacting alkali metals with air water
25
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
The method of extracting a
metal is related to the reactivity
series
Extraction of metals:
 heat alone — silver oxide
 copper from copper oxide using
carbon
 electrolysis
Methods used to extract metals
from their ores are dependent on
the position of the metal in the
reactivity series. Methods include:
 heating alone
 heating with carbon
 electrolysis
BBC knowledge and Learning video –
Extracting copper
Learn Chemistry experiment – Extracting
copper from rocks
Learn Chemistry experiment – Extracting
metal with charcoal
Learn Chemistry experiment – The
reduction of iron oxide by carbon
Corrosion of metals
Rusting and methods of
preventing iron from rusting
Sacrificial protection of iron to
prevent rusting
26
Metals corrode by their reaction
with oxygen and water. Different
metals corrode at different rates.
Learn Chemistry experiment – Electrolysis
of copper(II) sulfate solution
Rusting is the corrosion of iron. It
occurs when iron is exposed to
oxygen and water. Various
methods can be used to prevent
iron form rusting including:
 painting
 coating with oil or grease
 electroplating
 chrome plating
 plastic coating
 sacrificial protection
 attaching to the negative terminal
of a power source
BBC knowledge and Learning video –
Rusting of iron
Ferroxyl indicator can be used to
show rusting occurring.
Learn Chemistry experiment – The causes
of rusting
Learn Chemistry experiment – Preventing
rusting
BBC knowledge and Learning video –
Galvanising iron and steel to prevent
corrosion
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
The use of certain metals to protect
iron from rusting is related to their
relative position to iron in the
electrochemical series.
Chemical cells and the
electrochemical series
Alloys
Pairs of metals to determine
electrochemical series.
‘Fruity’ batteries using different
metal pairs.
Simple cells.
When different metals are
connected by an electrolyte, an
electric current flows from one
metal to the other through
connecting wires. By comparing
pairs of metals the electrochemical
series can be constructed. The
electrochemical series is used to
predict the size of voltage and
direction of current in chemical
cells. This forms the basis for
batteries.
‘Turning copper coins gold’. The
RSC website has guidance and risk
assessments for this experiment.
Possible scope to investigate
carbon in steel.
An alloy is a mixture of two or more
elements, at least one of which is a
metal. Alloys have different physical
properties in comparison to the
pure elements.
Learn Chemistry experiment – Hand
Battery
Learn Chemistry experiment – Electricity
from chemicals
SSERC experiment – Electrochemical cells
Learn Chemistry teacher resource –
Turning copper coins into 'silver' and 'gold
Learn Chemistry video – Turning copper
coins into 'silver' and 'gold
Learn Chemistry experiment – Metal
mixtures
Royal Society of Chemistry experiment –
Solid mixtures a tin and lead solder
27
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Materials
Polymers and polymerisation
The National STEM centre ELibrary contains all the resources
produced by the Gatsby Science
Enhancement Programme. These
include resource booklets and
suggested experiments on:
Fantastic Plastic, fibres and fabrics,
‘bouncy fluids’, novel materials and
SMART applications.
Plastics are a group of important
materials. They are long-chain
molecules called polymers and can
be made by a process called
polymerisation. Plastics are made
from small units called monomers.
The name of the polymer can be
deduced from the name of the
monomer.
Mindsets is an organisation
sponsored by Middlesex University.
Resources and chemicals can be
purchased from its website.
Polymers can be engineered to be
used in a variety of environments.
Fantastic Plastic is a website
sponsored by the University of
Reading. It has a variety of
resources available.
NQ course materials Glow portal resources
– Chemistry in Society
BBC Knowledge and Learning learner
resource – Properties of plastics revision
guide
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Plastics introduced
BBC Knowledge and Learning video – The
uses of polymers
SSERC experiments – Cross-linking
polymers, Gloopy and Gooey
Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme
learner resource – Fantastic plastic
Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008,
Volume 19, Issue 1 learner resource –
Fantastic plastic article
Mindsets learner resources – plastics and
polymers
RSC and Practical Action learner resources
– Plastics challenge and IDL project
Royal Society of Chemistry video –
Recycling thermosoftening and
thermosetting plastics
28
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Thermosoftening and
thermosetting plastics
Burning plastics
Investigate polymers and their
properties.
Types of plastic — thermosoftening
and thermosetting.
Plastics can be grouped in different
ways: thermosoftening and
thermosetting plastics.
Thermosoftening plastics or
thermoplastics can be reshaped
once heated whereas thermosetting
polymers cannot.
Burning of plastics related to
poisonous gases released and
consequences on the environment.
Plastics burn to release harmful
gases.
Plastics have been developed
which can biodegrade.
Biodegradable plastics
Properties of materials are
constantly updated and adapted
and new materials developed to
meet the demands of society.
These tend to have special and
unique properties.
Novel materials
Ceramics
Investigate types of ceramics and
properties of ceramics including
strength and heat resistance.
Activities might include making
glass, investigating clay vs. fired
clay and porosity. Other suggested
activities are available from
Education Scotland.
The properties of ceramic materials
have made them vital components
for many modern applications.
BBC Knowledge and Learning video –
Recycling plastics
Learn Chemistry experiment –
Making a plastic from potato starch
SSERC experiments – Novel materials
Learn Chemistry experiment –
Sunlight to electricity
Learn Chemistry teacher resource – The
properties of materials
29
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Fertilisers
Importance of fertilisers
Three essential elements and
percentage composition
The chemist has an important role
in helping to make sure plants have
the correct nutrients to ensure
sufficient food production.
Percentage composition
calculations can be related to the
packaging of fertilisers.
Design and prepare fertilisers using
neutralisation reactions.
Natural and manmade fertilisers
Environmental impact of
fertilisers
Nuclear chemistry
Formation of elements in stars
30
Possible investigation into
effectiveness of fertilisers:
Different school-made fertilisers
could be compared by growing
suitable plants.
There are three key elements which
provide the nutrients required for
plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium. The % composition
of an element in the fertiliser can be
calculated. They are usually shown
as percentage amounts on the side
of fertiliser packaging.
Fertilisers can be produced
naturally or in laboratories by
chemists using neutralisation
reactions.
Investigate the solubility of
fertilisers and the potential
environmental consequences
associated with fertiliser use.
The use of fertilisers may have an
environmental impact. This should
include the effect of fertilisers
leeching into water courses.
Internet search: ‘teachers domain
nova science formation of
elements’.
Carry out research into formation of
elements.
Heavier elements are formed from
lighter elements in stars.
NQ course materials Glow portal resource –
Plant nutrients and fertilisers
BBC Knowledge and Learning revision
guide – Properties of fertilisers
Learn Chemistry experiment – Making a
fertiliser
Learn Chemistry experiment – Preparing a
soluble salt by neutralisation
BBC Knowledge and Learning (GCSE)
video – Problems as a result of using
chemical fertilisers
Teachers domain video – Formation of
elements
BBC Knowledge and Learning revision
guide – Nuclear chemistry
NATIONAL 4 CHEMISTRY RESOURCES GUIDE
Background radiation
Chemical analysis
Importance of chemical analysis
to our everyday life
Simple analytical techniques
Use a gieger-muller tube to
measure background radiation and
that of various everyday objects
such as bananas.
Background radiation is a natural
phenomenon and is caused by
various factors including:
 rocks
 cosmic rays
 medical uses
Learners carry out simple chemical
analysis which can build on
knowledge and skills from across
any of the National 4 Chemistry
Units.
Chemical analysis permeates all
aspects of chemistry. It is important
that learners understand the
significance of analysis in terms of:
 testing purity of eg water
 identifying pollutants
Possible activities could include:
 analysis of rock salt to determine
% of sodium chloride
 crime scene scenario — poisonpen letter — using paper
chromatography to separate and
identify ink samples
 soil or water analysis using pH
testing
Learners should carry out simple
analytical techniques. These could
include:
 chromatography
 flame tests
 pH measurement using indicators
/ pH meters
 separation techniques including
filtration, evaporation and distillation
Gigaphysics simulation – Gieger-muller
tube
BBC Knowledge and Learning (GCSE)
learner resource – Water purity revision
guide pages 1-2
SSERC experiment – Flame tests
Facts on File experiment – Separating salt
from rock salt
Learn Chemistry experiment –
Chromatography of sweets
Learn Chemistry experiment –
Chromatography of leaves
Learn Chemistry learner resource – Soil
science challenging plants
31